Clos du Chêne Vert AOC 2011

Wine Description for Clos du Chêne Vert AOC 2011 by Charles Joguet

Colour & Appearance

Transparent garnet red with a distinctly brick-red rim – a classic portrait of mature Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley, which wears its eleven years with pride rather than apology.

Nose

Charming, sensual and of remarkably great depth. Lingering dark berry fruit and red plum meld with tobacco, leather and a delicate hint of violet. Beneath lies a mineral foundation of crushed limestone, complemented by undergrowth, iron, a trace of blood and ink – the unmistakable signature of mature Chinon.

Palate

Grand, deep and of festive nobility. The entry is like opening the doors to a grand hall: everything is in its place. Melting aromatic tannins, a hint of vibrant fruit, much of the characteristic sous-bois, the distinctive iron of mature Cabernets and fine leafy notes shape a wine of impressive complexity and harmony.

Finish

Long, mineral and of elegant persistence. The limestone terroir resonates for a long time, carried by ripe tannins and a soft echo of tobacco and iron.

Terroir & Origin

The Clos du Chêne Vert sits on the right bank of the Vienne, not far from Chinon, on a steep, south-facing slope. The soil of clay, gravel and deep limestone lends the wine its mineral tension. The name comes from a mighty oak tree which, according to legend, was planted by monks from Bourgueil in the 12th century.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Cabernet Franc, vinified with ten days of cold maceration at 10 °C and subsequent four-week fermentation on the skins in wooden vats at a maximum of 21 °C. Maturation in French oak barrels (one fifth new, the rest one to four years old) for 15–16 months, followed by six months of harmonisation in tank. A wine where you can taste the craftsmanship in every sip.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Ideal with lamb loin with herb crust, wild duck breast or a classic Coq au vin. Also a revelation with aged goat’s cheese from the Loire.

Special Characteristics

The Clos du Chêne Vert is Charles Joguet’s parcel with the earliest harvest – its southern exposure makes it the early ripener of the domaine. At the peak of its maturity, this 2011 impressively demonstrates how Chinon can develop with time into one of France’s great red wines.